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  ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Iqtidar Wali Khan has launched a strong criticism of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accusing members and supporters of the party of placing former prime minister Imran Khan above Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and questioning their commitment to the country’s founding principles. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Iqtidar Wali Khan alleged that some PTI supporters consider Imran Khan a leader greater than Quaid-e-Azam and do not accept the Two-Nation Theory. He questioned how figures such as Barrister Gohar, Ali Zafar, Umair Niazi and Asad Qaiser, whom he described as patriotic individuals, could remain associated with the party while it was allegedly pursuing such politics. The prime minister’s aide accused PTI activists of repeatedly becoming part of what he called anti-state movements and attempting to continue the events of May 9. He also criticised slogans associated with PTI supporters, including “No Khan, No Pakistan,” and alleged that they compared Imran Khan with Quaid-e-Azam while making fun of Allama Iqbal’s vision for the country. Iqtidar Wali further criticised the PTI’s previous government and levelled serious allegations regarding its administration. He claimed that during the party’s tenure in power, the second floor of the Prime Minister’s House had allegedly been turned into a dance floor, where he alleged that drinking and dancing gatherings were held. He also made allegations about the presence of practices related to black magic within the government setup. He further accused the PTI leadership of making statements that, according to him, undermined the country’s defence capabilities during periods of tension with India. He claimed that when a conflict or Indian attack arose, some PTI figures would say that there was not even enough fuel available for Pakistan’s tanks. The special assistant also criticised PTI supporters for holding protests on Independence Day. He questioned why anyone would choose the national day for political demonstrations, arguing that such actions could cause concern among Pakistan’s enemies rather than contribute to national unity. He appealed to political parties to carefully consider PTI’s political conduct before forming alliances or cooperating with its leadership. Referring to comments attributed to Maulana Naseem Shah about the difficulties faced by Pakistan decades after Allama Iqbal’s dream, he urged political forces to examine what he described as the party’s actions before extending political cooperation. Iqtidar Wali also targeted the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He claimed that the party had governed the province for around 15 years while repeatedly promoting slogans such as “Riyasat-e-Madina” and “Naya Pakistan.” He alleged that, despite these claims, individuals involved in drug trafficking, smuggling and the ice-drug trade had gained influence in the province. He further alleged that some people who previously lacked sufficient resources even for basic expenses had become owners of high-end hotels after gaining political influence. The remarks by Iqtidar Wali Khan come amid continued political tensions between the government and PTI. His statements reflect the sharp political divide between the two sides, with the government repeatedly accusing PTI of undermining state institutions, while PTI has consistently rejected such allegations and maintained that its political struggle is aimed at protecting democratic rights and securing political justice.

  At least three people were killed and four others sustained injuries in a shooting incident near Charsadda Adda in Peshawar, according to local police authorities. The tragic incident, which occurred following a heated domestic dispute, has shocked residents of the area and prompted an immediate police investigation. Police officials stated that the shooting took place after an argument between two groups of relatives escalated into a violent confrontation. What initially began as a disagreement over family matters quickly turned deadly when firearms were used. The exchange of gunfire resulted in the deaths of three individuals at the scene, while four others were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The condition of the injured has not yet been officially disclosed. Law enforcement authorities responded swiftly after receiving reports of the incident. Police teams reached the crime scene, secured the area, and began collecting evidence. The bodies of the deceased were shifted to a hospital for legal formalities and post-mortem examinations, while investigators interviewed witnesses to determine the exact sequence of events. According to the police, a formal case has been registered at Faqirabad Police Station, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible for the shooting. Authorities have launched a search operation to locate the suspects, who reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident. Police officials expressed confidence that those involved would soon be brought to justice. Preliminary investigations indicate that both groups involved in the incident are closely related. Police believe the violence stemmed from a long-standing domestic dispute that escalated beyond control. Although the exact nature of the disagreement has not been officially revealed, investigators are examining all aspects of the family conflict to establish the motive behind the shooting. Family disputes turning violent remain a serious concern in various parts of Pakistan, where disagreements over property, inheritance, financial issues, or personal matters can sometimes escalate into deadly confrontations. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly urged citizens to resolve conflicts through legal and peaceful means rather than resorting to violence. The incident has created an atmosphere of fear and sadness among local residents, many of whom expressed concern over the increasing use of firearms in personal disputes. Community members have called on authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and to strengthen measures aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. Police officials emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that additional details will be made public as evidence is collected and witness statements are recorded. Authorities are also reviewing forensic evidence from the crime scene to support the investigation. The tragic shooting serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of unresolved family conflicts and the dangers associated with the misuse of weapons. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims await justice, while local authorities remain committed to apprehending the suspects and uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The police have assured the public that every effort is being made to complete the investigation promptly and transparently. Further updates are expected as the search for the accused continues and more information becomes available through the ongoing inquiry.

WASHINGTON: Pakistan needs to improve transparency in its public finances and give Parliament and citizens earlier access to key budget and debt information, according to a new US State Department assessment. The department’s 2026 Fiscal Transparency Report said Pakistan had made progress in making financial information publicly available but still faced important gaps, particularly in the timely release of its proposed budget and disclosure of government liabilities. The report noted that Pakistan’s approved budget and year-end financial reports were easily accessible to the public, including online. However, it found that the government did not release its executive budget proposal within a reasonable timeframe. According to the assessment, publishing the proposed budget earlier would give lawmakers and the public more time to examine the government’s spending and revenue priorities before the document is formally approved. The report also raised concerns over limited public information about government debt, especially liabilities linked to major state-owned enterprises. Greater disclosure, it said, would help provide a clearer picture of the country’s financial position and allow Parliament to better assess potential fiscal risks. Despite these shortcomings, the US assessment acknowledged that Pakistan’s publicly available budget documents contained substantial information on planned government revenues and expenditures, including income from natural resources. Pakistan’s auditing system also received a largely positive assessment. The report said financial information was generally reliable and subject to review by the country’s supreme audit institution, which it found to have an appropriate level of independence under international standards. Audit findings were also made available to the public within a reasonable period. The report found that Pakistan had established legal procedures for awarding natural resource extraction contracts and licences and appeared to follow those rules in practice. It also noted that information on public procurement contracts was accessible and described the legal framework governing the country’s sovereign wealth fund as sound. The State Department identified three major areas where Pakistan could further strengthen fiscal transparency: releasing the executive budget proposal on time, providing more detailed information about government debt, including state-owned enterprise liabilities, and bringing military and intelligence budgets under adequate parliamentary or civilian oversight. Overall, the report did not portray Pakistan’s financial system as broadly opaque. Instead, it recognised several areas of progress while calling for stronger parliamentary scrutiny and greater disclosure of information that could help lawmakers and the public understand the country’s fiscal risks.